This school year, my group of kids typically wants to be very close to me. In spite of our being able to be quite far away, but within visual and/or auditory range, they prefer to be as close as possible. This has been the case with other developmental educators, too. Our feeling is that everyone is needing even more comfort and care than during pre-pandemic times. And children are learning how to ask more effectively, from within their own bodies and voices.

In fact, one child made a profound statement. We began spending some time each day having “mindful minutes,” in response to some negative self-talk we were hearing. We began to practice deep breathing for a couple of minutes before a meal, while repeating words that are meaningful and aspirational. Often we share the words we will be thinking, and when one child said, “Secure,” I felt that need in them so deeply. They’re so young, and already know exactly what they need. Don’t we all need to feel secure?

Nature News

We LIVE the Fall! We get to feel the breeze, and as it waxes and wanes the leaves fall in corresponding fashion. In a stronger wind, we can be surrounded by a little flurry of the dying leaves, settling onto the ground to replenish the earth’s nutrients. The differences in colors is a delight to witness, and the thick piles of leaves under some trees is so fun to step and swish through. Brown, crispy leaves crunch underfoot, while red, leathery leaves have a bright shine. And, who knew there could be so many shades of yellow?

One of the kids found a leaf that looked like someone had rubbed and crunched it, which led to a lesson about the different types of chlorophyll and how those are why the leaves show different colors. We talked about how nutrients travel back down through the tree to be stored in the roots during Winter, and how that energy travels back up into the branches to form new leaves for Spring. We discussed how plants get their energy from water and sunlight, while we need water and food. We noted that not all trees are deciduous, and the differences between deciduous trees and evergreens are readily noticeable in our woodland location.

Resources

A lot of families don’t know how to remove themselves from traditional public or private schools. Bay Area consultant Jamie Heston is a constant leader in helping families find a way into homeschooling via resources and free Homeschooling 101 workshops. Check her out!

Here’s a great article and TED talk about raising emotionally intelligent children. This came on the heels of my first of a series of interviews I’m doing for a woman getting her PhD in environmental education. During the interview, I realized that my practice of teaching in Outside School is developmental, outside of any other recognized method for school age children.

Enrollment

Enrollment is open for Outside School:

-Current school year,

-2022 - 2023 school year,

-2022 summer camp (2 spots remaining).

We’d love to have your kid(s) join us!

We’re 100% outdoors in beautiful Alvarado Park/Wildcat Canyon in Richmond, an urban wildland located just off Highway 80 and San Pablo Dam Road in the East Bay Hills. Children in elementary, middle, and high school are welcome!

9:00 - 3:00

-Tuesday through Thursday for school year,

-Monday through Friday for camp.

Take care,

Heather

Heather Taylor, EMT

Founder/Director/Teacher, Outside School (www.outside.school)

Founder, Teach Outside (www.teachoutside.org)

California Master Teacher

Connect

Facebook (@outsideschool1)

instagram (@outside_school)

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDHGkinQRTgRWM9ZUB_0xOw)

iNaturalist (https://www.inaturalist.org/people/teachoutside)

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